The turnover of restaurants and mobile food service activities in Belgium stood at €12.49 billion in 2023. Between 2013 and 2019, the sector experienced consistent growth, peaking at a year-on-year variation of 15.17% in 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused a significant downturn with a -35.21% year-on-year decline. The sector began recovering in 2021, showing a 29.28% increase, and continued to grow with a 19.18% rise in 2022. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past five years (2019-2023) was 5.42%. Forecasts predict steady growth with a 3.46% CAGR from 2024 to 2028, reaching €15.54 billion by 2028.
Future trends to watch for:
- Innovations in mobile food services
- Increased adoption of digital ordering and delivery platforms
- The impact of sustainability practices and eco-friendly initiatives
- Changes in consumer behaviour post-pandemic focusing on health and safety
- Potential economic fluctuations affecting disposable income and dining habits
